Common Questions
Before Surgery
What are the benefits of jaw surgery?
- It will improve the ability to eat comfortably.
- It may improve breathing.
- It may improve speech that uses the tongue tip and teeth sounds.
- It will improve facial appearance, how your teeth meet, and your smile.
What are the downsides of jaw surgery?
- Requires time, from months to years.
- Requires many appointments, time off from school and work.
- Requires hospitalization and a recovery period.
- While risks, complications, and an undesired outcome are rare, it is not zero.
Will insurance cover the surgery?
- Not all insurance policies cover jaw surgery.
- It is considered 'elective' surgery and is medically necessary only under certain conditions.
- It may also be excluded from your policy to reduce the cost of the policy.
- For most insurance plans, you will need to meet both functional and anatomic criteria (how bad is the deformity/bite).
- Check with your insurance carrier prior to the start of treatment and during treatment if your insurance changes. THIS IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY.
Do I need to see other professionals?
- Ideally, yes.
- A speech pathologist can assess the impact of surgery on your speech, and a letter supporting the need for surgery can be beneficial to establishing functional reasons for surgery.
- A psychologist will help you get through the stress of surgery and possible school and work anxiety that can occur with surgery.
- Patients seen by a dedicated team psychologist who is familiar with jaw surgery recover quicker.
What parts do the orthodontist and the surgeon play?
- Orthodontist first straightens and aligns the teeth.
- Surgeon then moves the jaw bones so that the teeth fit.
- Braces are put on many months before surgery, kept on during, and continued after surgery.
When will I be ready for jaw surgery?
- When the orthodontist AND the surgeon feel that the teeth are in the correct position.
- Dental models called "surgical feasibility dental models" verify the fit.
How is surgery planned?
- The surgery is planned 4 weeks before the date of surgery.
- 3D x-rays, final dental models, and photos are uploaded into special software for simulation.
- The simulation allows us to print 3D models and select the hardware needed for the surgery.
- Optimizes the efficiency of the surgery.
What do I do to prepare myself for surgery?
- Set aside sufficient time for appointments and to recover and reduce any outside stress.
- If you are anxious, please talk to our surgical psychologist or any of our patients who have previously undergone surgery.
- Maximize your oral care to decrease the bacterial count and improve the gum tissues: dental cleaning, brushing 3x/day, antigingivitic mouth rinse 3x/day, nasal saline (salt water) rinse 2x/day.
After Surgery
Will my jaw be wired shut?
- No. We will use dental elastics 1-2 weeks after the surgery to guide the bite until the bones heal and the teeth fit comfortably.
- Dental elastics act like tiny 'muscles' to help find your new bite until it becomes stable and a habit.
How long will I be hospitalized?
- Usually overnight. Occasionally 2-3 days.
- There is some bleeding and nausea/vomiting after the surgery.
- The next day you will be better off continuing care at home.
What is recovery like immediately after surgery?
- The first week is difficult. Facial swelling is common and begins to improve 3 days after surgery.
- By 2 weeks most patients go back to school and light duty work.
- Initial pain and discomfort are managed by alternating a prescribed narcotic with ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil).
- You will be able to open and close your mouth to breathe and eat, and it will become easier as the swelling in the jaw muscles subsides.
How will I eat after surgery?
- You will be able to eat and drink after surgery, but it will be difficult because your bite is different.
- Liquids for the first 2-3 days. Then, slowly advance the diet to soft foods (Jell-O, pudding, pasta, fish).
- To avoid losing weight, you should have high-calorie drinks as supplements.
- By 4-6 weeks after surgery, many of our patients eat an unrestricted diet.
How much time should I set aside for recovery?
- Most patients are back to school/work 2-3 weeks after surgery.
- It will take about 6-8 weeks for strength to come back completely.
- We encourage a return to daily activities as soon as possible.
- No contact sports for a minimum of 6 weeks.
How long will my braces be on?
- Your orthodontist will continue to move the teeth until they are well coordinated and stable.
- May take 4 to 12 months after surgery. The surgeon needs to agree before they come off.
Is the outcome of braces and surgery permanent?
- No. Teeth will always move after braces come off and the jaw bones will remodel until a new 'equilibrium' is established by your body.
- Wearing retainers to hold the teeth in position will help maintain the outcome as long as possible.
- You must expect ongoing changes as we get older. Bones and teeth are living tissues.